PMMA binding peptides

ABSTRACT

Peptides are provided that have binding affinity for polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The polymethyl methacrylate-binding peptides may be used to prepare peptide-based reagents suitable for use in a variety of applications. The peptide-based reagents may be used to couple benefit agents to a PMMA polymer surface or may be used to couple a benefit agent comprising a PMMA polymer surface to a target surface, such as a body surface.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/179,741 filed May 20, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to peptides having affinity for polymethylmethacrylate polymer as well as peptide-based reagents comprising atleast one of the present polymethyl methacrylate-binding peptides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Polymethyl methacrylate resin (PMMA; CAS RN: 9011-14-7) is a clearpolymer developed as a glass substitute. It is commonly referred to asacrylic glass or acrylic and marketed under trademarks such as:PLEXIGLAS™, PERSPEX™, ACRYLITE™, ACRYLPLAST™, and LUCITE™. PMMA hasseveral advantages over silicon glass such as lower density, higherimpact strength, higher shatter resistance, and a lower processingtemperature. PMMA is commonly found in large windows, aquariums, vehiclerear lights, dentures, and paint coatings, to name a few.

The ubiquitous use of PMMA in industry makes it a prime materialcandidate for a variety of applications in which PMMA comprises some orall of a surface. However, the physical properties of PMMA may beundesirable for certain applications. Under such circumstances a coatingmay be applied to mask or alter the undesirable property.

One way to alter, mask or enhance certain properties of a PMMA polymersurface is to couple to the surface an agent that provides a desiredeffect or benefit (a “benefit agent”). However, many benefit agents donot durably adhere to PMMA. As such, there is a need to provide areagent suitable for enhancing the delivery and/or durability of abenefit agent targeted to a surface comprising PMMA polymer. Preferably,the reagent has a least one portion having strong affinity for PMMApolymer.

Peptide-based reagents can be prepared to couple a benefit agent to atarget surface. Peptide sequences that bind to surface comprising PMMApolymer are described by Cunningham et al. in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2007/0265431. However, only phage display-identifiedPMMA-binding peptides are provided by Cunningham et al. It is known thatother display techniques, such as mRNA-display, can provide greatersequence diversity that may result in the identification of linearpeptides having stronger affinity for the target substrate (Gold, L.,(2001) PNAS. 98(9):4825-4826). Additionally, some commercialapplications may use peptide reagents comprising a plurality ofdifferent PMMA-binding peptides. As such, there is a need to identifyadditional PMMA-binding peptides having strong affinity for surfacescomprising PMMA polymer.

The problem to be solved is to provide additional PMMA-binding peptidesas well as peptide-based reagents suitable for either (1) coupling afirst surface comprising PMMA polymer to a benefit agent or (2) couplinga benefit agent comprising PMMA polymer to a second target surface todeliver a benefit to the second target surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The stated problem has been solved by the identification of PMMA-bindingpeptides having strong affinity for PMMA polymer. The presentPMMA-binding peptides were identified using mRNA-display. One or more ofthe present PMMA-binding peptides may be used to prepare peptide-basedreagents for use in the delivery of at least one benefit agent to amaterial comprising PMMA resin. One or more of the present PMMA-bindingpeptides may also be used to form a beneficial film on and/or coupled abenefit agent to a PMMA polymer. The peptide-based reagents may also beused to couple a benefit agent comprising PMMA (the first targetsurface) to a second target surface. The first and second targetsurfaces may be the same or different.

Many of the present PMMA-binding peptides share similar structures basedon prevalence of conserved sequences identified using mRNA-display. Assuch, sequences of PMMA-binding peptides sharing significant structuralsimilarity are provided.

In one embodiment, a peptide having affinity for polymethyl methacrylate(i.e., a “PMMA-binding peptide”) is provided, said polypeptide havingthe general structure (SEQ ID NO: 9):

GWQRIWQSIX₁CWMYX₂PLCLWMEWYRAI;wherein

-   -   i) X₁ is L or F; and    -   ii) X₂ is L or F.

One or more of the present PMMA-binding peptides may be used to preparepeptide reagents. Peptide reagents are also provided having a generalstructure selected from the group consisting of:([PBP]_(n)-[L] _(x)-BA-[L] _(y))_(m); and([PBP]_(n)-[L] _(x)-TBD-[L] _(y))_(m)wherein:

-   -   i) PBP is a polymethyl methacrylate-binding peptide;    -   ii) L is a linker molecule;    -   iii) BA is at least one benefit agent;    -   iv) TBD is a target binding domain;    -   v) x and y independently range from 0 to 10;    -   vi) n=1 to 10; and    -   vii) m=1 to 10;

wherein the polymethyl methacrylate-binding peptide comprises an aminoacid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9.

In another embodiment, a method for binding a peptide-based reagent toPMMA is provided comprising:

a) providing at least one peptide or peptide reagent comprising SEQ IDNO: 9; and

b) contacting the peptide-based reagent of (a) with a surface comprisingPMMA whereby the peptide-based reagent binds to the PMMA.

The present PMMA-binding peptides and/or peptide reagents may be used inpersonal care compositions to delivery or enhance the durability of abenefit agent to a body surface. As such, a personal care compositioncomprising one or more of the present PMMA-binding peptides and/orpeptide reagents is also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE BIOLOGICAL SEQUENCES

The following sequences comply with 37 C.F.R. 1.821-1.825 (“Requirementsfor Patent Applications Containing Nucleotide Sequences and/or AminoAcid Sequence Disclosures—the Sequence Rules”) and are consistent withWorld Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standard ST.25 (1998)and the sequence listing requirements of the EPC and PCT (Rules 5.2 and49.5(a-bis), and Section 208 and Annex C of the AdministrativeInstructions). The symbols and format used for nucleotide and amino acidsequence data comply with the rules set forth in 37 C.F.R. §1.822.

SEQ ID NOs: 1-35 are the amino acid sequences of peptides having strongaffinity for a surface comprising PMMA polymer.

SEQ ID NO: 5 is the amino acid sequence of a peptide classified hereinas Group “A” PMMA polymer-binding peptides. Examples of PMMA-bindingpeptides belonging to Group “A” are selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 1, 2, 3, and 4 and 5.

SEQ ID NO: 9 is the amino acid sequence of a peptide classified hereinas Group “B” PMMA polymer-binding peptides. Examples of PMMA-bindingpeptides belonging to Group “B” are selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 6, 7, 8 and 9.

SEQ ID NO: 14 is the amino acid sequence of a peptide classified hereinas Group “C” PMMA polymer-binding peptides. Examples of PMMA-bindingpeptides belonging to Group “C” are selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

SEQ ID NO: 18 is the amino acid sequence of a peptide classified hereinas Group “D” PMMA polymer-binding peptides. Examples of PMMA-bindingpeptides belonging to Group “D” are selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 15, 16, 17, and 18.

SEQ ID NO: 21 is the amino acid sequence of a peptide classified hereinas Group “E” PMMA polymer-binding peptides. Examples of PMMA-bindingpeptides belonging to Group “E” are selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 19, 20, and 21.

SEQ ID NO: 24 is the amino acid sequence of a peptide classified hereinas Group “F” PMMA polymer-binding peptides. Examples of PMMA-bindingpeptides belonging to Group “F” are selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 22, 23, and 24.

SEQ ID NO: 27 is the amino acid sequence of a peptide classified hereinas Group “G” PMMA polymer-binding peptides. Examples of PMMA-bindingpeptides belonging to Group “G” are selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 25, 26, and 27.

SEQ ID NOs: 28-35 are additional amino acid sequences of peptides havingstrong affinity for PMMA polymer.

SEQ ID NO: 36 is the amino acid sequence of the N-terminal constantregion used in the present display library.

SEQ ID NO: 37 is the amino acid sequence of the C-terminal constantregion used in the present display library.

SEQ ID NO: 38 is the nucleic acid sequence of the oligonucleotideportion of the MHA-oligonucleotide linker used in preparing the fusionmolecules.

SEQ ID NOs: 39 and 40 are primers.

SEQ ID NO: 41 is the amino acid sequence of the Caspase-3 cleavagesequence.

SEQ ID NOs: 42-100 are the amino acid sequence of polymer-bindingpeptides.

SEQ ID NOs: 101-104 are the amino acid sequence of celluloseacetate-binding peptides.

SEQ ID NOs: 105-159 are the amino acid sequences of pigment-bindingpeptides.

SEQ ID NOs: 160-174 are the amino acid sequence of clay-bindingpeptides.

SEQ ID NOs: 175-200 are the amino acid sequences of calciumcarbonate-binding peptides.

SEQ ID NOs: 201-223 are the amino acid sequences of silica-bindingpeptides.

SEQ ID NOs: 224-252 are the amino acid sequences of antimicrobialpeptides.

SEQ ID NOs: 253-254 are the amino acid sequences of several peptidelinkers.

SEQ ID NOs: 255-256 are the amino acid sequences of several peptidebridges.

SEQ ID NO: 257 is the amino acid sequence of PMMA-binding peptide of SEQID NO: 6 further comprising a C-terminal lysine residue.

SEQ ID NOs: 258-474 are examples of peptides having affinity for a bodysurface wherein SEQ ID NOs: 258-384 bind to hair; SEQ ID NOs 380-432binding to skin; SEQ ID NOs: 433-434 bind to nail; SEQ ID NOs: 435-454bind to tooth pellicle; and SEQ ID NOs: 455-474 bind to tooth enamel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein are peptides having strong affinity for PMMA(PMMA-binding peptides) as well as peptide-based reagents comprising atleast one of said PMMA-binding peptides. The peptide-based reagents areuseful for coupling a benefit agent to a surface comprising PMMA polymeror for coupling at least one first surface comprising polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) polymer to at least one second target surface. Forexample, a particulate benefit agent comprising a surface of PMMApolymer, such as a PMMA-coated pigment, can be coupled to a secondsurface, such as a body surface. The first and second target surface maybe the same or different so long as at least one of the surfacescomprises a surface of PMMA polymer.

In this disclosure, a number of terms and abbreviations are used. Thefollowing definitions apply unless specifically stated otherwise.

As used herein, the articles “a”, “an”, and “the” preceding an elementor component of the invention are intended to be nonrestrictiveregarding the number of instances (i.e., occurrences) of the element orcomponent. Therefore “a”, “an” and “the” should be read to include oneor at least one, and the singular word form of the element or componentalso includes the plural unless the number is obviously meant to besingular.

The term “comprising” means the presence of the stated features,integers, steps, or components as referred to in the claims, but doesnot preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, components or groups thereof. The term “comprising” isintended to include embodiments encompassed by the terms “consistingessentially of” and “consisting of”. Similarly, the term “consistingessentially of” is intended to include embodiments encompassed by theterm “consisting of”.

As used herein, the term “about” modifying the quantity of an ingredientor reactant employed refers to variation in the numerical quantity thatcan occur, for example, through typical measuring and liquid handlingprocedures used for making concentrates or use solutions in the realworld; through inadvertent error in these procedures; throughdifferences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredientsemployed to make the compositions or carry out the methods; and thelike. The term “about” also encompasses amounts that differ due todifferent equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from aparticular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term “about”,the claims include equivalents to the quantities.

Where present, all ranges are inclusive and combinable. For example,when a range of “1 to 5” is recited, the recited range should beconstrued as including ranges “1 to 4”, “1 to 3”, “1-2”, “1-2 & 4-5”,“1-3 & 5”, and the like.

As used herein, the terms “polypeptide” and “peptide” will be usedinterchangeably to refer to a polymer of two or more amino acids joinedtogether by a peptide bond. In one aspect, this term also includes postexpression modifications of the polypeptide, for example,glycosylations, acetylations, phosphorylations and the like. Includedwithin the definition are, for example, peptides containing one or moreanalogues of an amino acid or labeled amino acids and peptidomimetics.In one embodiment, the peptides are comprised of L-amino acids.

As used herein, the term “polymethyl methacrylate” polymer isabbreviated as “PMMA” and is synonymous with methyl 2-methylpropanoate,poly(methyl methacrylate) and all other synonyms used underCAS#9011-14-7.

As used herein, “PBP” means a PMMA-binding peptide. As used herein, theterm “PMMA-binding peptide” refers to peptides that bind with strongaffinity to the surface of a PMMA polymer or copolymer comprising PMMA.In one embodiment, the PMMA-binding peptide binds to PMMA polymer. Forpurposes of the present discussion PMMA-binding peptides have classedinto various Groups ranging from Group A to H, based on specificdifferentiating amino acid motifs within each group. The presentapplication relates to Group A PMMA-binding peptides.

As used herein, the term “peptide finger” will be used to refer to anindividual target surface-binding peptide, typically identified bybiopanning against a target surface. Peptides having affinity for PMMAby biopanning may be referred to as “PMMA-binding peptides” or peptide“fingers”.

As used herein, the term “peptide hand” will be used to refer to abinding domain or region comprising 2 or more “peptide fingers” coupledtogether using one or more optional, independently-selected linkers,wherein the inclusion of at least one peptide linker is preferred.

As used herein, the terms “PMMA hand” and “PMMA-binding domain” willrefer to a single chain peptide comprising of at least two PMMA-bindingpeptides linked together by an optional molecular linker (L) (“linker”)or spacer, wherein the inclusion of a molecular linker is preferred. Inone embodiment, the molecular linker is a peptide linker. In anotherembodiment, the peptide linker ranges in length from 1 to 50 aminoacids, preferably 3 to 25 amino acids in length, and may be comprised ofvarious amino acids. In another embodiment, the molecular linker may becomprised of one or more of the amino acids selected from the groupconsisting of proline, lysine, glycine, alanine, glutamic acid, serine,and combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term “peptide-based reagent” or “peptide reagent”refers to a single chain peptide comprising at least one of the presentPMMA-binding peptides having an amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 9). Inone embodiment, the peptide reagent comprises at least one of thepresent PMMA-binding peptides having an amino acid sequence selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 6, 7, 8, and 9. In anotherembodiment, the peptide reagent comprises at least one PMMA-bindingpeptides having an amino acid sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 6, 7, and 8.

In another embodiment, the peptide-based reagent comprises two or moreof the present PMMA-binding peptides separated by a molecular linker.The peptide-based reagent may also have at least one region that can becoupled to the benefit agent and/or a region that provides a bindingaffinity for a second target surface. As such, the peptide-based reagentmay used as an interfacial material to couple a benefit agent or anadditional target surface (via a target surface-binding domain or “TBD”)to a surface comprised of PMMA polymer. The benefit agent-binding regionmay be comprised of at least benefit agent-binding peptide. The benefitagent may be coupled covalently or non-covalently to the presentpeptide-based reagents. In one embodiment, the benefit agent is couplenon-covalently to the peptide reagent. In another embodiment, thebenefit agent is coupled to the peptide-based reagent covalently.

As used herein, the terms “coupling” and “coupled” refer to any chemicalassociation and may include both covalent and non-covalent interactions.In one embodiment, the coupling is non-covalent. In another embodiment,the coupling is covalent.

As used herein, the term “bridge”, “peptide bridge”, and “bridgingelement” will refer to a linear peptide used to join a PMMA-bindingdomain (“PMMA-binding hand” or the “first domain”) to a peptide domain(the “second domain”) capable of binding to the surface of particulatebenefit agent (i.e., covalent or non-covalent coupling) or a secondtarget surface via a target surface-binding domain (TBD). The peptidebridge may range in size from 1 to 60 amino acids in length, preferably6 to 30 amino acids in length. Examples of peptide bridges are providedas SEQ ID NOs: 255-256.

The term “benefit agent’ is abbreviated as “BA” and is a general termapplying to a compound or substance that may be coupled to a surfacecomprising PMMA polymer using one of the present PMMA-binding peptidesor peptide-based reagents in order to provide a desirable characteristicof the benefit agent to the complex. In the most general sense a benefitagent may be any element, molecule or compound that is not PMMA. In oneembodiment, the benefit agent may be one or more of the PMMA-bindingpeptides. Benefit agents typically include, but are not limited to,colorants such as pigments and dyes as well as pharmaceuticals, markers,conditioners, fragrances, as well as domains having a defined activity(“active domains” or “AD”) such as enzyme catalysts, and antimicrobialagents, such as antimicrobial peptides.

The term “target binding domain” is abbreviated as “TBD” will refer to aportion or region of the peptide-based reagent having affinity for atarget surface. In one embodiment, the TBD has strong affinity for atarget surface. In another embodiment, the present peptide-basedreagents will comprise at least one region or domain having strongaffinity for a surface comprising PMMA, wherein the domain havingaffinity for PMMA will be comprises of at least one of the presentPMMA-binding peptides; and at least one second region or domain havingstrong affinity for a benefit agent or another target surface including,but not limited to, body surfaces such as hair, skin, nails, teeth,gums, and corneal tissue, as well as other surfaces such as pigments,synthetic polymers, peptides, nucleic acids, conditioning agents, printmedia, clay, calcium carbonate, silica, and other particulate benefitagents, such as microspheres. In one embodiment, the target bindingdomain (TBD) is a body surface-binding domain selected from the groupconsisting of a hair-binding domain, a skin-binding domain, anail-binding domain, a tooth-binding domain (both tooth pellicle-bindingpeptides and/or tooth enamel-binding peptides), and domains havingaffinity for other body surfaces, such as the gums or corneal tissue.Examples of various peptides having affinity various benefit agentsurfaces are provided in the present sequence descriptions and theaccompanying sequence listing.

The term “body surface” will mean any surface of the human body that mayserve as a substrate for the binding of a peptide carrying a benefitagent. Typical body surfaces may include, but are not limited to, hair,skin, nails, teeth (enamel and/or pellicle surfaces), gums, and cornealtissue. In one embodiment, the body surface is selected from the groupconsisting of hair, skin, nail, tooth enamel, and tooth pellicle.

As used herein, “BSBP” means body surface-binding peptide. A bodysurface-binding peptide is a peptide having strong affinity for aspecified body surface. A body surface-binding peptide is a peptideranging in size from 7 to 60 amino acids in length that binds withstrong affinity to at least one body surface. As used herein, the bodysurface-binding peptide is selected from the group consisting ofhair-binding peptides, skin-binding peptides, nail-binding peptides, andoral cavity surface-binding peptides, such as a tooth enamel-bindingpeptides and tooth pellicle-binding peptides. In a preferred embodiment,the body surface-binding peptide is selected from the group consistingof a hair-binding peptide, a skin-binding peptide, a nail-bindingpeptide, and a tooth-binding peptide (enamel or pellicle). Examples ofbody surface-binding peptides are provided as SEQ ID NOs: 258-474.

As used herein, the term “hair” as used herein refers to human hair,eyebrows, and eyelashes. The term “hair surface” will mean the surfaceof human hair capable of binding to a hair-binding peptide. As usedherein, the term “hair-binding peptide” refers to a peptide that bindswith high affinity to hair. Examples of hair-binding peptides aredescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication NOs. 2005-0226839;2007-0065387; 2007-0110686; 2007-0196305; U.S. patent application Ser.Nos. 11/877,692 and 11/939,583; U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,405; and publishedPCT Application No. WO2004/048399. Examples of hair-binding peptides areprovided as SEQ ID NOs: 258-384.

The term “skin”, as used herein, refers to human skin, or pig skin,VITRO-SKIN® and EPIDERM™ which are substitutes for human skin. Skin willgenerally comprise a layer of epithelial cells and may additionallycomprise a layer of endothelial cells. Examples of skin-binding peptidesare described in U.S. Patent Application Publication NOs. 2005-0249682;US 2006-0199206; 2007-0065387; and 2007-0110686; U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/877,692; and published PCT Application NO. WO2004/048399.

As used herein, the term “skin-binding peptide” refers to peptides thatbind with strong affinity to skin. Examples of skin-binding peptideshave also been reported (U.S. Patent Application Publication NOs.2007-0274931 and 2007-0249805, and published PCT Patent Application WO2004/000257). The skin-binding peptides may be linked together to formskin-binding domains (“hands”). Examples of skin-binding peptides areprovided as SEQ ID NOs: 380-432.

As used herein, the term “nails” as used herein refers to humanfingernails and toenails. As used herein, the term “nail-bindingpeptide” refers to peptides that bind with strong affinity to nails.Examples of nail-binding peptides are provided as SEQ ID NOs: 433-434.The nail-binding fingers may be linked together to form nail-bindingdomains (“hands”).

As used herein, the term “oral cavity surface-binding peptide” refers topeptides that bind with strong affinity to teeth, gums, cheeks, tongue,or other surfaces in the oral cavity. As used herein, the term“tooth-binding peptide” will refer to a peptide that binds with highaffinity to tooth enamel or tooth pellicle. Examples of tooth-bindingpeptides are disclosed in co-pending U.S. Patent Application PublicationNO. 2008-0280810 and are provided as SEQ ID NOs: 435-474. Thetooth-binding fingers may be linked together to form tooth-bindingdomains (“hands”). In one embodiment, the oral cavity surface-bindingpeptide is a peptide that binds with high affinity to a tooth surface.

The term “tooth surface” will refer to a surface comprised of toothenamel (typically exposed after professional cleaning or polishing) ortooth pellicle (an acquired surface comprising salivary proteins).Hydroxyapatite can be coated with salivary glycoproteins to mimic anatural tooth pellicle surface (tooth enamel is predominantly comprisedof hydroxyapatite).

As used herein, the terms “pellicle” and “tooth pellicle” will refer tothe thin film (typically ranging from about 1 μm to about 200 μm thick)derived from salivary glycoproteins which forms over the surface of thetooth crown. Daily tooth brushing tends to only remove a portion of thepellicle surface while abrasive tooth cleaning and/or polishing(typically by a dental professional) will exposure more of the toothenamel surface.

As used herein, the terms “enamel” and “tooth enamel” will refer to thehighly mineralized tissue which forms the outer layer of the tooth. Theenamel layer is composed primarily of crystalline calcium phosphate(i.e., hydroxyapatite) along with water and some organic material. Inone embodiment, the tooth surface is selected from the group consistingof tooth enamel and tooth pellicle.

As used herein, the term “pigment” means an insoluble colorant. A widevariety of organic and inorganic pigments alone or in combination may beused. In one embodiment, the pigment is a metal oxide. As used herein,the term “pigment lake” or “lake” refers to a pigment manufactured byprecipitating a dye with an inert binder, usually a metallic salt.

As used herein, “Pigment-BP” means pigment-binding peptide. Apigment-binding peptide is a peptide that binds with strong affinity toa specified pigment. Pigment-binding peptides have been reported in theart (U.S. Patent Application Publ. No. 2005-0054752, U.S. Pat. No.7,285,264, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/632,827).Examples of pigment-binding peptides are provided as SEQ ID NOs:105-159. Examples of iron oxide-based pigment binding peptides areprovided as SEQ ID NOs: 131-159 (U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/632,827).

As used herein, a “polymer” is a natural or synthetic compound ofusually high molecular weight consisting of repeated linked units. Asused herein, “Poly-BP” means polymer-binding peptide (excluding thePMMA-binding peptides (SEQ ID NOs: 1-35)). Examples of peptides thatbind with high affinity to a specified polymer have been described (U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2008-0206809). Examples ofpolymer-binding peptides may include peptides that bind to (previouslyreported) polymethyl methacrylate (SEQ ID NOs: 42-68), polypropylene(SEQ ID NOs: 69-75), polytetrafluoroethylene (SEQ ID NOs: 76-84),polyethylene (85-91), nylon (SEQ ID NOs: 92-97), and polystyrene (SEQ IDNOs: 98-100).

Additional peptides having strong affinity for their respective surfacesalso include, but are not limited to, cellulose acetate-binding peptides(SEQ ID NOs: 101-104); silica-binding peptides (U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/632,829 and SEQ ID NOs: 201-223); clay-binding peptides(U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007-0249805 and SEQ ID NOs:160-174); and calcium carbonate-binding peptides (U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2009-0029902 and SEQ ID NOs: 175-200).

As used herein, an “antimicrobial peptide” is a peptide having theability to kill microbial cell populations (see U.S. Pat. No.7,427,656). Examples of antimicrobial peptides are provided as SEQ IDNOs: 224-252.

As used herein, the term “operably-linked” refers to the association ofnucleic acid sequences on a single nucleic acid fragment so that thefunction of one is affected by the other. For example, a promoter isoperably linked with a coding sequence when it is capable of affectingthe expression of that coding sequence (i.e., that the coding sequenceis under the transcriptional control of the promoter). In a furtherembodiment, the definition of “operably linked” may also be extended todescribe the products of chimeric genes.

As used herein, the term “MB₅₀” refers to the concentration of thebinding peptide that gives a signal that is 50% of the maximum signalobtained in an ELISA-based binding assay (see Example 9 of U.S.Published Patent Application No. 2005-0226839; hereby incorporated byreference). The MB₅₀ provides an indication of the strength of thebinding interaction or affinity of the components of the complex. Thelower the value of MB₅₀, the stronger the interaction of the peptidewith its corresponding substrate.

As used herein, the terms “binding affinity” and “affinity” refer to thestrength of the interaction of a binding peptide (e.g., targetsurface-binding peptides, target surface-binding domains, andpeptide-based reagents) with its respective substrate. The bindingaffinity may be reported in terms of the MB₅₀ value as determined in anELISA-based binding assay or as a K_(D) (equilibrium dissociationconstant) value, which may be deduced using a methodology such assurface plasmon resonance (SPR).

As used herein, the term “strong affinity” refers to a binding affinity,as measured as an MB₅₀ value of K_(D) value, of 10⁻⁴ M or less,preferably less than 10⁻⁵ M, more preferably less than 10⁻⁶ M, morepreferably less than 10⁻⁷ M, even more preferably less than 10⁻⁸ M, andmost preferably less than 10⁻⁹ M.

As used herein, “L” means “molecular linker” or “linker”. The linker maybe a peptide or non-peptide-based molecular linker. In one embodiment,the linker is a peptide linker. Peptide linkers separating aPMMA-binding domain from a benefit agent, a benefit agent-binding domainor a target surface-binding domain (TBD) may also be referred to as apeptide “bridge” or “bridging element”. In one embodiment, the peptidelinker is 1 to 60 amino acids in length, preferably 3 to 25 amino acidsin length. Examples of peptide linkers are provided as SEQ ID NOs:253-254.

In one embodiment, the benefit agent may be an active domain within(i.e., a subsequence of the peptide reagent) or coupled to the peptidereagent. In one embodiment, the active domain is a portion of thepeptide reagent that is not responsible for PMMA binding but providesadditional functionality or benefit. In another embodiment the activedomain may have antimicrobial functionality. For example, the peptidereagent may be comprised of at least one of the present PMMA-bindingpeptides and at least one antimicrobial peptide; whereby coupling ofsaid peptide reagent to a surface comprising PMMA polymer (such asPLEXIGLAS™) provides a surface characterized by an enhancement inantimicrobial activity.

The term “amino acid” refers to the basic chemical structural unit of aprotein or polypeptide. The following abbreviations are used herein toidentify specific amino acids:

Three-Letter One-Letter Amino Acid Abbreviation Abbreviation Alanine AlaA Arginine Arg R Asparagine Asn N Aspartic acid Asp D Cysteine Cys CGlutamine Gln Q Glutamic acid Glu E Glycine Gly G Histidine His HIsoleucine Ile I Leucine Leu L Lysine Lys K Methionine Met MPhenylalanine Phe F Proline Pro P Serine Ser S Threonine Thr TTryptophan Trp W Tyrosine Tyr Y Valine Val V Miscellaneous (or asdefined herein) Xaa XBinding Affinity

The present PMMA-binding peptides exhibit a strong affinity for asurface comprising PMMA polymer based on their ability to bind to a PMMApolymer after many rounds of selection under stringent selectionconditions. The affinity of the peptide for PMMA can be expressed interms of the dissociation constant K_(D) or an ELISA-based MB₅₀ value.K_(D) (expressed as molar concentration) corresponds to theconcentration of peptide at which the binding site on the target is halfoccupied, i.e. when the concentration of target with peptide bound(bound target material) equals the concentration of target with nopeptide bound. The smaller the dissociation constant, the more tightlybound the peptide is; for example, a peptide with a nanomolar (nM)dissociation constant binds more tightly than a peptide with amicromolar (μM) dissociation constant. In one embodiment, the presentPMMA-binding peptides have a K_(D) value of 10⁻⁴ M or less, preferably10⁻⁵ M or less, more preferably 10⁻⁶ M or less, even more preferably10⁻⁷ M or less, yet even more preferably 10⁻⁸ M or less, and mostpreferably 10⁻⁹ M or less.

Alternatively, one of skill in the art can also use an ELISA-based assayto calculate a relative affinity of the peptide for the target material(reported as an MB₅₀ value; see present Example 3 and co-owned U.S.Patent Application Publication No. 2005-022683, herein incorporated byreference). As used herein, the term “MB₅₀” refers to the concentrationof the binding peptide that gives a signal that is 50% of the maximumsignal obtained in an ELISA-based binding assay. The MB₅₀ value providesan indication of the strength of the binding interaction or affinity ofthe components of the complex. The lower the value of MB₅₀, the strongerthe interaction of the peptide with its corresponding substrate. In oneembodiment, the MB₅₀ value (reported in terms of molar concentration)for the PMMA-binding peptide is 10⁻⁴ M or less, preferably 10⁻⁵ M orless, more preferably 10⁻⁶ M or less, more preferably 10⁻⁷ M or less,and most preferably 10⁻⁸ M or less.

mRNA-Display

The present PMMA-binding peptides were biopanned against a PMMA polymerusing mRNA display, an in vitro panning method commonly used foridentifying peptides having an affinity for a target material (U.S. Pat.No. 6,258,558). Briefly, a random library of DNA molecules was generatedwherein they encode a peptide of a desired length. The length of thepeptide within the display library may be to be up to 200 amino acids inlength and is typically designed to range from about 7 to about 100amino acids in length. In one embodiment, the library of peptides may bedesigned to be about 7 to about 60 amino acids in length, preferablyabout 7 to about 30 amino acids in length, more preferably about 15 toabout 30 amino acids in length, and most preferably about 27 amino acidsin length (i.e., a “27-mer” library). Typically, the nucleic acidmolecule encoding the peptide includes (in addition to the codingregion) appropriate 5′ and 3′ regulatory regions necessary for efficientin vitro transcription and translation. The design of the nucleic acidconstructs used for preparing the mRNA-display library is well known toone of skill in the (see WO2005/051985). The nucleic acid molecules canbe designed to optionally encode flexible linkers, cleavage sequences,fusion promoting sequences, and identification/purification tags (e.g.,poly-A regions, His tags, etc.) to facility purification and/orprocessing in subsequence steps.

The library of random nucleic acid fragments is transcribed in vitro toproduce an mRNA library. The mRNA is isolated and subsequently fused toa linker molecule (i.e., a puromycin-oligonucleotide linker or apuromycin derivative-oligonucleotide linker) using techniques well-knownin the art (U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,558; U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,994; and Kurzet al., (2000) NAR, 28(18):e83 i-v). In a preferred embodiment, thepuromycin-oligonucleotide linker comprises psoralen for rapid and facilepreparation of the mRNA-protein fusions (Kurtz et al., supra). ThemRNA-puromycin fusion molecules are then translated in vitro whereby thenascent polypeptide is fused (via the puromycin-oligonucleotide linker)to the mRNA (PROFUSION™ molecules; Adnexus Therapeutics, Weltham,Mass.). In this way, the phenotype (peptide) is linked to thecorresponding genotype (RNA).

The mRNA-peptide fusion molecules are typically reverse transcribed intoa DNA/mRNA-protein fusion molecules prior to affinity selection. Thelibrary (often comprising up to 10¹³ different sequences) is contactedwith target ligand/material (typically an immobilized target and/or asolid surface). The selection process is carried out in an aqueousmedium wherein parameters such as time, temperature, pH, buffer, saltconcentration, and detergent concentration may be varied according thestringency of the selection strategy employed. Typically, thetemperature of the incubation period ranges from 0° C. to about 40° C.and the incubation time ranges from about 1 to about 24 hours.

Several washing steps are typically used to remove the non-binding/lowaffinity fusion molecules. The stringency of the washing conditions maybe adjusted to select those fusion molecules having the highest affinityfor the target material. The high affinity fusion molecules are isolatedand then PCR-amplified in order to obtain the nucleic acid sequencesencoding the binding peptides. The mRNA-display selection cycle istypically repeated for 3 to 10 cycles in order to select/enrich thosefusion molecules comprising peptide sequences exhibiting the highestaffinity for the target material.

Error-prone PCR may optionally be incorporated into mRNA-displayselection process whereby mutants derived from a previously selectedhigh affinity sequence are used. The process is typically repeated forseveral cycles in order to obtain the peptides having improved affinityfor the target material.

Optionally, any PMMA-binding peptide sequence identified usingmRNA-display may be verified using the free peptide. Typically, thenucleic acid molecule encoding the PMMA-binding peptide is cloned andrecombinantly expressed in an appropriate microbial host cell, such asE. coli. The free peptide is then isolated and assayed against thetargeted material to validate the binding affinity of the peptidesequence.

Polymethyl Methacrylate

PMMA polymer is prepared by the polymerization of the monomer methylmethacrylate, which is available from many commercial suppliers, such asAldrich (Milwaukee, Wis.), ICI Acrylics (Beaumont, Tex.), CYROIndustries (Rockaway, N.J.), Total Specialty Chemicals, Inc (New Canaan,Conn.), and Degussa Corp. (Parsippani, N.J.). Methyl methacrylate may bepolymerized using methods known in the art, such as radicalpolymerization, anionic polymerization, or group transfer polymerization(Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 6^(th) edition, 2003,Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co., Weinheim, Germany, Vol. 28, pp. 377-389).For example, radical polymerization may be carried out homogeneously(i.e., bulk or solution polymerization) or heterogeneously (i.e.,suspension or emulsion polymerization). The radical polymerization maybe initiated using radiation, heat, or chemical initiators, such as azocompounds or organic peroxy compounds. Copolymers may be produced bythese methods using a mixture of the desired monomers.

The PMMA polymer may be produced in various shapes or forms, such asbeads, microspheres, sheets, rods, tubes, films, plates, rings, fiber,and microfilament, using injection molding, extrusion, and castingtechniques, which are well known in the art. Additionally, PMMA invarious shapes is available commercially from companies such as CRYOIndustries and Bang Laboratories (Fishers, Ind.).

In one embodiment, the PMMA polymer or a copolymer prepared using PMMAis coated onto another surface, such as metal, metal oxide, polymer,pigment, glass, cloth, and the like, using methods known in the art,such as spraying, brushing, dip coating and casting.

In another embodiment, the PMMA polymer or copolymer is imbedded intothe surface of another material, such as another polymer. This may bedone by adding particles, beads, or fragments of PMMA material into theother polymer as it cures.

In another embodiment, a PMMA copolymer is used as a dispersant forpigments or other insoluble particles, including metallic andsemiconductor nanoparticles. The copolymer may be a random copolymer ora structured copolymer (i.e., a non-random block copolymer). Preferredrandom dispersants may include methyl methacrylate copolymers with otheracrylates or styrene. Most preferred are structured polymer dispersants,which include AB, BAB and ABC block copolymers, branched polymers andgraft polymers. Preferably these copolymers comprise methyl methacrylatewith one or more monomers such as acrylate, methacrylate, butylmethacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, benzylmethacrylate,phenoxyethyl acrylate, and ethoxytriethyleneglycolmethacrylate, such asthose described by Nigan (U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2004-0232377). Some useful structured polymer dispersants are disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,698, EP-A-0556649, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,131.

Production of Peptides

The present peptides may be prepared using standard peptide synthesismethods, which are well known in the art (see for example Stewart etal., Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.,1984; Bodanszky, Principles of Peptide Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, NewYork, 1984; and Pennington et al., Peptide Synthesis Protocols, HumanaPress, Totowa, N.J., 1994). Additionally, many companies offer custompeptide synthesis services.

Alternatively, the present peptides may be prepared using recombinantDNA and molecular cloning techniques. Genes encoding the presentpeptides may be produced in heterologous host cells, particularly in thecells of microbial hosts, as described by Huang et al. (U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2005-0050656).

Preferred heterologous host cells for expression of the present peptidesare microbial hosts that can be found broadly within the fungal orbacterial families and which grow over a wide range of temperature, pHvalues, and solvent tolerances. Because transcription, translation, andthe protein biosynthetic apparatus are the same irrespective of thecellular feedstock, functional genes are expressed irrespective ofcarbon feedstock used to generate cellular biomass. Examples of hoststrains include, but are not limited to, bacterial, fungal or yeastspecies such as Aspergillus, Trichoderma, Saccharomyces, Pichia,Phaffia, Kluyveromyces, Candida, Hansenula, Yarrowia, Salmonella,Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Zymomonas, Agrobacterium, Erythrobacter,Chlorobium, Chromatium, Flavobacterium, Cytophaga, Rhodobacter,Rhodococcus, Streptomyces, Brevibacterium, Corynebacteria,Mycobacterium, Deinococcus, Escherichia, Erwinia, Pantoea, Pseudomonas,Sphingomonas, Methylomonas, Methylobacter, Methylococcus, Methylosinus,Methylomicrobium, Methylocystis, Alcaligenes, Synechocystis,Synechococcus, Anabaena, Thiobacillus, Methanobacterium, Klebsiella, andMyxococcus. In one embodiment, bacterial host strains includeEscherichia, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas. In a preferred embodiment, thebacterial host cell is Escherichia coli.

Benefit Agents

Benefit agents are any material or substance that may be complexed withthe peptide-based reagent comprising one or more of the presentPMMA-binding peptides in an manner so as to deliver a benefit at thepoint where the peptide reagent is attached. A benefit agent may beselected for the purpose of adding the physical, chemical and/orbiological properties of said agent to the PMMA polymer surface.

Benefit agents may be inorganic or organic in nature. Some preferredembodiments include benefit agents that are pigments, conditioners,colorants, antimicrobial agents, and fragrances.

Conditioners

In one embodiment, a peptide-based reagent may be used that provides aconditioning effect to a body surface. For example, a peptide reagentmay be designed to couple a target surface, such as a body surface, witha conditioning agent comprising a surface of PMMA polymer. Theconditioning agent may be provided or incorporated with a bead,particle, or microsphere comprising a PMMA polymer or copolymer surface.Conditioner benefits agents as referred to in discussion of the presentinvention generally mean benefit agents that provide an improvement tothe appearance, texture or quality of the substance they are designed tocondition. Conditioner benefit agents may be used with the presentinvention to condition any substance including but not limited to hair,skin, nail, tooth enamel, tooth pellicle, gums, others tissues of theoral cavity, leather, and upholstery. In the preferred embodiment thepresent invention is used in combination with a benefit agent thatprovides a conditioning effect to hair, skin, nails, tooth enamel, andtooth pellicle.

Hair conditioning agents are well known in the art, see for exampleGreen et al. (WO 01/07009) and are available commercially from varioussources. Suitable examples of hair conditioning agents include, but arenot limited to cationic polymers, such as cationized guar gum, diallylquaternary ammonium salt/acrylamide copolymers, quaternizedpolyvinylpyrrolidone and derivatives thereof, and variouspolyquaternium-compounds; cationic surfactants, such as stearalkoniumchloride, centrimonium chloride, and Sapamin hydrochloride; fattyalcohols, such as behenyl alcohol; fatty amines, such as stearyl amine;waxes; esters; nonionic polymers, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone,polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethylene glycol; silicones; siloxanes, suchas decamethylcyclopentasiloxane; polymer emulsions, such asamodimethicone; and volumizing agents, such as nanoparticles (e.g.,silica nanoparticles and polymer nanoparticles). The preferred hairconditioning agents contain amine or hydroxyl functional groups tofacilitate coupling to the hair-binding peptides. Examples ofconditioning agents are octylamine (CAS No. 111-86-4), stearyl amine(CAS No. 124-30-1), behenyl alcohol (CAS No. 661-19-8, Cognis Corp.,Cincinnati, Ohio), vinyl group terminated siloxanes, vinyl groupterminated silicone (CAS No. 68083-19-2), vinyl group terminated methylvinyl siloxanes, vinyl group terminated methyl vinyl silicone (CAS No.68951-99-5), hydroxyl terminated siloxanes, hydroxyl terminated silicone(CAS No. 80801-30-5), amino-modified silicone derivatives,[(aminoethyl)amino]propyl hydroxyl dimethyl siloxanes,[(aminoethyl)amino]propyl hydroxyl dimethyl silicones, andalpha-tridecyl-omega-hydroxy-poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) (CAS No.24938-91-8).

If the present peptide-based reagents are to be used in connection witha hair care composition, such as when the target binding domain (TBD) ofthe peptide reagent has affinity for hair, an effective amount of thepeptide reagent (alone or in a complex with a PMMA-coated benefit agent)for use in a hair care composition is herein defined as a proportion offrom about 0.01% to about 10%, preferably about 0.01% to about 5% byweight relative to the total weight of the composition. Components of acosmetically acceptable medium for hair care compositions are describedby Philippe et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,747, and by Omura et al. inU.S. Pat. No. 6,139,851 and Cannell et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,250,each of which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, thesehair care compositions can be aqueous, alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholicsolutions, the alcohol preferably being ethanol or isopropanol, in aproportion of from about 1 to about 75% by weight relative to the totalweight, for the aqueous-alcoholic solutions. Additionally, the hare carecompositions may contain one or more conventional cosmetic ordermatological additives or adjuvants including but not limited to,antioxidants, preserving agents, fillers, surfactants, UVA and/or UVBsunscreens, fragrances, thickeners, wetting agents and anionic, nonionicor amphoteric polymers, and dyes or pigments.

Skin conditioning agents may include, but are not limited to,astringents, which tighten skin; exfoliants, which remove dead skincells; emollients, which help maintain a smooth, soft, pliableappearance; humectants, which increase the water content of the toplayer of skin; occlusives, which retard evaporation of water from theskin's surface; and miscellaneous compounds that enhance the appearanceof dry or damaged skin or reduce flaking and restore suppleness.Particles comprising PMMA and a skin conditioning agent may be inconjunction with one of the present peptide-based reagents to couple thecondition agent to skin (assuming the peptide reagent also comprises aportion having affinity for skin). Skin conditioning agents are wellknown in the art, see for example Green et al., supra, and are availablecommercially from various sources. Suitable examples of skinconditioning agents include, but are not limited to alpha-hydroxy acids,beta-hydroxy acids, polyols, hyaluronic acid, D,L-panthenol,polysalicylates, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin E acetate, glycerin,sorbitol, silicones, silicone derivatives, lanolin, natural oils andtriglyceride esters. The skin conditioning agents may also includepolysalicylates, propylene glycol (CAS No. 57-55-6, Dow Chemical,Midland, Mich.), glycerin (CAS No. 56-81-5, Proctor & Gamble Co.,Cincinnati, Ohio), glycolic acid (CAS No. 79-14-1, DuPont Co.,Wilmington, Del.), lactic acid (CAS No. 50-21-5, Alfa Aesar, Ward Hill,Mass.), malic acid (CAS No. 617-48-1, Alfa Aesar), citric acid (CAS No.77-92-9, Alfa Aesar), tartaric acid (CAS NO. 133-37-9, Alfa Aesar),glucaric acid (CAS No. 87-73-0), galactaric acid (CAS No. 526-99-8),3-hydroxyvaleric acid (CAS No. 10237-77-1), salicylic acid (CAS No.69-72-7, Alfa Aesar), and 1,3 propanediol (CAS No. 504-63-2, DuPont Co.,Wilmington, Del.). Polysalicylates may be prepared by the methoddescribed by White et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,483, incorporatedherein by reference. Glucaric acid may be synthesized using the methoddescribed by Merbouh et al. (Carbohydr. Res., (2001) 336:75-78). The3-hydroxyvaleric acid may be prepared as described by Bramucci et al. inU.S. Pat. No. 6,562,603.

In a number of embodiments the present peptide reagents could be used ina skin care composition (for example, when the peptide reagent comprisesa skin-binding domain and a PMMA polymer binding domain, wherein thebenefit agent comprise PMMA polymer, such as a bead or surface coating).Skin care compositions are herein defined as compositions comprising aneffective amount of a skin conditioner or a mixture of different skinconditioners in a cosmetically acceptable medium. The uses of thesecompositions include, but are not limited to, skin care, skin cleansing,make-up, and anti-wrinkle products. If the present invention is desiredto be used in connection with a skin care composition an effectiveamount of the complex for skin care compositions is herein defined as aproportion of from about 0.001% to about 10%, preferably about 0.01% toabout 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. Thisproportion may vary as a function of the type of skin care composition.Suitable compositions for a cosmetically acceptable medium are describedby Philippe et al., supra. For example, the cosmetically acceptablemedium may be an anhydrous composition containing a fatty substance in aproportion generally of from about 10 to about 90% by weight relative tothe total weight of the composition, where the fatty phase containing atleast one liquid, solid or semi-solid fatty substance. The fattysubstance includes, but is not limited to, oils, waxes, gums, andso-called pasty fatty substances. Alternatively, the compositions may bein the form of a stable dispersion such as a water-in-oil oroil-in-water emulsion. Additionally, the compositions may contain one ormore conventional cosmetic or dermatological additives or adjuvants,including but not limited to, antioxidants, preserving agents, fillers,surfactants, UVA and/or UVB sunscreens, fragrances, thickeners, wettingagents and anionic, nonionic or amphoteric polymers, and dyes orpigments.

Colorants.

The term colorant generally refers to a coloring agent. Colorants may bechemically organic or inorganic and may include pigments, lakes or dyes.The colorants may be prepared by covalently attaching at least one ofthe present PMMA-binding peptides to a coloring agent, either directlyor via a linker, using any of the coupling methods known in the art (seefor example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005-0226839).

Pigments are a particularly suitable benefit agent. A wide variety oforganic and inorganic pigments alone or in combination may be used.Preferred organic pigments are carbon black, such as Carbon Black FW18,and colored pigments such as CROMOPHTAL® Yellow 131AK (Ciba SpecialtyChemicals), SUNFAST® Magenta 122 (Sun Chemical) and SUNFAST® Blue 15:3(Sun Chemical). Examples of inorganic pigments may include, but are notlimited to finely divided metals such as copper, iron, aluminum, andalloys thereof; and metal oxides, such as silica, alumina, and titania.Additional examples of suitable pigments are given by Ma et al. in U.S.Pat. No. 5,085,698, incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable coloring agents that may be used with the present PMMA-bindingpeptides and/or peptide-based reagents may include, but are not limitedto 4-hydroxypropylamino-3-nitrophenol, 4-amino-3-nitrophenol,2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, 2-nitro-paraphenylenediamine,N,N-hydroxyethyl-2-nitro-phenylenediamine, 4-nitro-indole, Henna, HCBlue 1, HC Blue 2, HC Yellow 4, HC Red 3, HC Red 5, Disperse Violet 4,Disperse Black 9, HC Blue 7, HC Blue 12, HC Yellow 2, HC Yellow 6, HCYellow 8, HC Yellow 12, HC Brown 2, D&C Yellow 1, D&C Yellow 3, D&C Blue1, Disperse Blue 3, Disperse violet 1, eosin derivatives such as D&C RedNo. 21 and halogenated fluorescein derivatives such as D&C Red No. 27,D&C Red Orange No. 5 in combination with D&C Red No. 21 and D&C OrangeNo. 10; and pigments, such as D&C Red No. 36 and D&C Orange No. 17, thecalcium lakes of D&C Red Nos. 7, 11, 31 and 34, the barium lake of D&CRed No. 12, the strontium lake of D&C Red No. 13, the aluminum lakes ofFD&C Yellow No. 5, of FD&C Yellow No. 6, of D&C Red No. 27, of D&C RedNo. 21, and of FD&C Blue No. 1, iron oxides, manganese violet, chromiumoxide, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, barium oxide, ultramarine blue,bismuth citrate, and carbon black particles.

Fragrances.

The PMMA-binding peptides and/or peptide-based reagents may be used todelivery or couple a fragrance to a surface comprising PMMA. In anotherembodiment, a particle, bead, or microsphere comprising PMMA may also beused to delivery a fragrance to a target surface, such as a bodysurface, provided that the peptide reagent comprises an appropriatetarget binding domain (TBD), such as a body surface-binding domain.

A fragrance is a complex, compound or element that releases, a substancewhich may be perceived by the sense of olfaction or chemical detectionin any organism, but preferably, in humans. The object sensed ordetected may be a part of or the whole of the fragrance benefit agent.In the preferred embodiment the odor is perceived as desirable tohumans. However, some uses may combine with a fragrance benefit agentthat is repellent to a class of organisms, including a class thatcontains or is humans. Any known fragrance or odor may be use as abenefit agent. It may be desirable to attach a fragrance benefit agentto the PMMA-peptide complex by a bond structure or linking molecule thatallows the benefit agent to be released, in part or in whole, so that itmay be perceived by a sensing organ or chemical detector.

Numerous fragrances, both natural and synthetic, are well known in theart. For example, Secondini (Handbook of Perfumes and Flavors, ChemicalPublishing Co., Inc., New York, 1990) describes many of the natural andsynthetic fragrances used in cosmetics. Suitable natural fragrances mayinclude, but are not limited to jasmine, narcissus, rose, violet,lavender, mint, spice, vanilla, anise, amber, orange, pine, lemon,wintergreen, rosemary, basil, and spruce. Suitable synthetic fragrancesmay include, but are no limited to, acetaldehyde, C7 to C16 alcohols,benzyl acetate, butyric acid, citric acid, isobutyl phenyl acetate,linalyl butyrate, malic acid, menthol, phenyl ethyl cinnamate, phenylpropyl formate, tannic acid, terpineol, vanillin, amyl salicylate,benzaldehyde, diphenyl ketone, indole, and the like.

Single Chain Peptide-Based Reagents for Coupling a Benefit Agent to PMMA

The present peptide reagents comprising at least one of the presentPMMA-binding peptides may be used in a composition to couple a benefitagent to surface, film, sheet, particle, bead, or microsphere comprisinga surface having PMMA polymer. In a further embodiment, peptide reagentcomprising a target binding domain (TBD) having affinity for a targetsurface, such as a body surface, may be used to couple a benefit agentcomprising PMMA polymer to the target surface (i.e., the benefit agentcomprises a surface of PMMA polymer capable of binding to the peptidereagent).

In one embodiment, the peptide reagents may contain one or moremolecular linkers (L) separating the individual PMMA-binding peptidesand/or separating the PMMA-binding peptide(s) or peptide-based reagentfrom the benefit agent or target binding domain (TBD).

As such, a peptide-based reagent is provided comprising the generalstructure:([PBP]_(n)-[L] _(x)-BA-[L] _(y))_(m); or([PBP]_(n)-[L] _(x)-TBD-[L] _(y))_(m)wherein:

-   -   i) PBP is a polymethyl methacrylate-binding peptide;    -   ii) L is a linker molecule;    -   iii) BA is at least one benefit agent;    -   iv) TBD is a target binding domain;    -   v) x and y independently range from 0 to 10;    -   vi) n=1 to 10; and    -   vii) m=1 to 10;

wherein the polymethyl methacrylate-binding peptide comprises amino acidsequence SEQ ID NO: 9.

It may also be desirable to have multiple binding peptides coupled tothe benefit agent to enhance the interaction between the peptide reagentand the surface comprising PMMA polymer. Either multiple copies of thesame binding peptide or a combination of different binding peptides maybe used. In the case of large particles, a large number of bindingpeptides, such as up to about 1,000 peptides, may be coupled to theparticle. A smaller number of binding peptides can be coupled to smallermolecules, i.e., up to about 50.

Linker Molecules

Linker molecules may optionally be used with one or more of theembodiments described herein. The linker may be any of a variety ofmolecules, such as alkyl chains, phenyl compounds, ethylene glycol,amides, esters and the like. Preferred linkers are hydrophilic and havea chain length from 1 to about 100 atoms, more preferably, from 2 toabout 30 atoms. Examples of preferred linkers include, but are notlimited to, ethanol amine, ethylene glycol, polyethylene with a chainlength of 6 carbon atoms, polyethylene glycol with 3 to 6 repeatingunits, phenoxyethanol, propanolamide, butylene glycol,butyleneglycolamide, propyl phenyl, and ethyl, propyl, hexyl, steryl,cetyl, and palmitoyl alkyl chains. The linker may be covalently attachedto the peptide and the benefit agent using any of the couplingchemistries described above. In order to facilitate incorporation of thelinker, a bifunctional cross-linking agent that contains a linker andreactive groups at both ends for coupling to the peptide and the benefitagent may be used. Suitable bifunctional cross-linking agents are wellknown in the art and may include diamines, such as 1,6-diaminohexane;dialdehydes, such as glutaraldehyde; bis N-hydroxysuccinimide esters,such as ethylene glycol-bis(succinic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester),disuccinimidyl glutarate, disuccinimidyl suberate, and ethyleneglycol-bis(succinimidylsuccinate); diisocyantes, such ashexamethylenediisocyanate; bis oxiranes, such as 1,4 butanediyldiglycidyl ether; dicarboxylic acids, such as succinyldisalicylate; andthe like. Heterobifunctional cross-linking agents, which contain adifferent reactive group at each end, may also be used. Examples ofpeptide linkers are provided as SEQ ID NOs: 41, 253, and 254.

Applications of PMMA-Binding Peptides

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that PMMA-binding peptidesor peptide reagents comprising at least one of the present PMMA-bindingpeptides may be used in a multiplicity of formats including as deliverymeans for delivering benefits agents, in assays for diagnosticapplications as well as in materials applications for coating PMMApolymer or copolymer surfaces. In one embodiment, a personal carecomposition comprising one or more of the present PMMA-binding peptidesand/or peptide-based reagents is also provided to delivery (or enhancethe durability of) a benefit agent to a body surface. Examples ofpersonal care compositions may include coloring or conditioningcompositions for the body surface described herein, such as hair, skin,nail, and/or tooth surfaces.

EXAMPLES

It should be understood that these examples, while indicating variousembodiments of the invention, are provided for illustration purposes.From the above discussion and the examples provided, one skilled in theart can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, andwithout departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make variouschanges and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usesand conditions.

The meaning of abbreviations used is as follows: “min” means minute(s),“sec” means second(s), “h” means hour(s), “μL” means microliter(s), “mL”means milliliter(s), “L” means liter(s), “nm” means nanometer(s), “mm”means millimeter(s), “cm” means centimeter(s), “μm” means micrometer(s),“mM” means millimolar, “M” means molar, “pmol” means picomole(s), “mmol”means millimole(s), “μmole” means micromole(s), “g” means gram(s), “μg”means microgram(s), “mg” means milligram(s), “g” means the gravitationconstant, “rpm” means revolution(s) per minute, “pfu” means plaqueforming unit, “BSA” means bovine serum albumin, “ELISA” meansenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, “A” means absorbance, “A₄₅₀” meansthe absorbance measured at a wavelength of 450 nm, “TBS” meansTris-buffered saline, “TBST-X” means Tris-buffered saline containingTWEEN® 20 (CAS#9005-64-5) where “X” is the weight percent of TWEEN® 20,“vol %” means volume percent, TRITON®-X100 is a detergent havingCAS#9002-93-1.

General Methods:

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used hereinare well known in the art and are described by Sambrook, J. and Russell,D., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Third Edition, Cold SpringHarbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (2001); and bySilhavy, T. J., Bennan, M. L. and Enquist, L. W., Experiments with GeneFusions, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Cold Press Spring Harbor, N.Y.(1984); and by Ausubel, F. M. et. al., Short Protocols in MolecularBiology, 5^(th) Ed. Current Protocols and John Wiley and Sons, Inc.,N.Y., 2002.

Materials and Methods suitable for the maintenance and growth ofbacterial cultures are also well known in the art. Techniques suitablefor use in the following Examples may be found in Manual of Methods forGeneral Bacteriology, Phillipp Gerhardt, R. G. E. Murray, Ralph N.Costilow, Eugene W. Nester, Willis A. Wood, Noel R. Krieg and G. BriggsPhillips, eds., American Society for Microbiology, Washington, D.C.,1994, or by Thomas D. Brock in Biotechnology: A Textbook of IndustrialMicrobiology, Second Edition, Sinauer Associates, Inc., Sunderland,Mass., 1989.

All reagents and materials used for the growth and maintenance ofbacterial cells were obtained from Aldrich Chemicals (Milwaukee, Wis.),BD Diagnostic Systems (Sparks, Md.), Life Technologies (Rockville, Md.),or Sigma Chemical Company (St. Louis, Mo.), unless otherwise specified.

Example 1 Selection of PMMA Polymer-Binding Peptides Using mRNA-DisplayBiopanning

The purpose of this Example is to demonstrate enrichment and isolationof PMMA-binding peptides using an mRNA display biopanning method.

mRNA-Display Peptide Libraries:

Methods to make libraries of DNA molecules suitable as startingmaterials for mRNA-display are well-known in the art (seeWO2005/051985). The following procedure was used to identify 27-merpeptides that have strong affinity for a PMMA polymer target material.

Briefly, a library of random nucleic acid molecules (dsDNA) eachmolecule encoding a peptide of desired length was generated. A linearpeptide library containing 81 nucleotide positions or 27 randomizedamino acid positions was used (“p27 library”). The p27 library wasdesigned to include appropriate 5′ and 3′ regions for efficient in vitrotranscription, translation, purification, and coupling to theMHA-oligonucleotide linker (MHA is3′-[α-amino-p-methoxy-hydrocinnamido]-3′-deoxy-adenosine) in theindividual molecules.

The DNA encoding the linear peptide library was designed to include a T7promoter and a tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) translation initiationsequence operably linked to the coding sequence (CDS) (Liu et al.,Methods in Enzymology, (2000) 318:268-293). The CDS was designed toencode: (1) a constant N-terminal flaking region comprising ahexa-histidine tag followed by a flexible linker (underlined) sequence(MHHHHHHSGSSSGSGSG; SEQ ID NO: 36), (2) the randomized 27-mer linearpeptide, and (3) a constant C-terminal flanking region(TSGGSSGSSLGVASAI; SEQ ID NO: 37) comprising another flexible linkerregion (bold) and a C-terminal sequence optimized for efficient couplingto the MHA-oligonucleotide linker (double-underlined).

In Vitro Transcription

Double stranded DNA (dsDNA) as result of the PCR reactions weretranscribed into RNA using the RIBOMAX™ Express in vitro transcriptionkit (Promega Corp., Madison, Wis.). After incubation for at least 45 minat 37° C., DNase I was added and the incubation continued at 37° C. foradditional 30 minutes to degrade all template DNA. The reaction mixturewas purified by phenol/chloroform extraction. Then free nucleotides wereremoved by gel filtration using G25 microspin columns (Pharmacia Corp.;Milwaukee, Wis.). The concentration of purified RNA was determined byphotometry at 260 nm.

Library Preparation:

Approximately 10 pmol of highly purified RNA was produced by in vitrotranscription from the p27 DNA library and purified after DNase Idigestion (by phenol/chloroform extraction and gel filtration, methodsdescribed below). The 3′-end of the p27 library RNA was modified byattachment of a MHA-linker molecule (described above) and translated invitro by means of a rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Covalent fusion productsbetween peptide and coding RNA were purified on magnetic oligo(dT)beads, reverse transcribed, and again purified on a Ni-NTA purificationmatrix to remove uncoupled RNA and free peptides. About 8 pmol ofpeptide-RNA-cDNA-fusions were used as input for the first contact withtarget material during selection round 1.

Chemical Coupling of RNA and MHA-Oligonucleotide Linker

Purified RNA was annealed (by heat denaturation for 1 minute at 85° C.and cooling down to 25° C. for 10 minutes) with a 1.5-fold excess ofMHA-oligonucleotide linker-PEG₂A18 (5′-psoralen-UAG CGG AUG C A₁₈(PEG-9)₂ CC-MHA [nucleotides shown in italics represent2′-O-methyl-derivatives] (SEQ ID NO: 38). The covalent coupling wasinduced by radiation with UV-light (365 nm) for 15 min at roomtemperature. Aliquots of this reaction mixture before and afterirradiation with UV were analyzed on a 6%-TBE-Urea-polyacrylamidgel tocontrol the coupling efficiency (usually at least 60%).

In Vitro Translation and ³⁵S-Labelling of Peptide-RNA Fusions

Ligated RNA was translated using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate fromPromega in presence of 15 μCi ³⁵S-methionine (1000 Ci/mmole). After a 30min incubation at 30° C., KCl and MgCl₂ were added to a finalconcentration of 530 mM and 150 mM respectively in order to promoteformation of mRNA-peptide-fusions.

Oligo(dT) Purification

For the purification of peptide-RNA-fusions from translation mixturesmolecules were hybridized to magnetic oligo(dT) beads (Miltenyi Biotec;Bergisch Gladbach, Germany) in annealing buffer (100 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0,10 mM EDTA, 1 M NaCl and 0.25% TRITON° X-100) for 5 min at 4° C. Beadswere separated from the mixture using magnetic-activated cell sorting(MiniMACS®-filtration columns; Miltenyi Biotec), repetitively washedwith 100 mM Tris-HCl pH 8.0, 1 M NaCl, 0.25% TRITON® X-100 and finallyeluted with water. A sample of this reaction was analyzed on 4-20%Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE; radioactive bands were visualized using aPhosphoroImager.

Reverse Transcription (RT)

The RNAs of Oligo(dT)-purified peptide-RNA-fusions were reversetranscribed using SUPERSCRIPT™ II Reverse Transcriptase (Invitrogen,Carlsbad, Calif.) according to the manufacturer's recommendations. RTreactions contained about 1.5-fold excess of 3′-reverse primer. A sampleof this reaction was analyzed on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE;radioactive bands were visualized using a PhosphorImager.

His-Tag Purification

Reverse transcribed mRNA-peptide-fusion molecules were mixed withNi-NTA-agarose (QIAGEN; Valencia, Calif.) in HBS buffer (20 mM HEPES(CAS #7365-45-9) pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025% TRITON® X-100, 100 μg/mLsheared salmon sperm DNA, 1 mg/mL bovine serum albumin (BSA)) andincubated for 60 min at room temperature under gentle shaking. Ni-NTAwas then filtrated and washed with HNT buffer (20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150mM NaCl, 0.025%)/0 TRITON® X-100) containing 5 mM imidazole. Finallypeptide-RNA-cDNA-fusions were eluted with 150 mM imidazole in HNT buffer(20 mM HEPES pH 7.0, 150 mM NaCl, 0.025 TRITON® X-100). A sample of thisreaction was analyzed on 4-20% Tris/glycine-SDS-PAGE; radioactive bandswere visualized using a PhosphorImager. BSA (final concentration 1mg/mL) and sheared salmon sperm DNA (final concentration 100 μg/mL) wereadded to the eluates before contacting with target materials duringselection step.

Selection by Binding to Target Materials and Washing

A. Incubation of Peptide-RNA-cDNA-Fusion Library with Target Material:

Purified peptide-RNA-cDNA-fusions (PROFUSION™ molecules; AdnexusTherapeutics, Waltham, Mass.) after Ni-NTA purification were incubatedfor 60 minutes at room temperature in 1 mL (final volume) of 20 mMHEPES, pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl, 1 mg/mL BSA, 100 μg/mL sheared salmon spermDNA, 0.025% TRITON® X-100 in presence of DEPC-treated(diethylpyrocarbonate), blocked target material. Input activity ofpurified peptide-RNA-cDNA-fusions was determined by scintillationmeasurement.

B. Washing:

Non-binding variants were washed away by one of the following washingprocedures listed below:

-   -   Washing procedure A: used for washing the target material during        selection round 1:        -   5×5 sec. each with HNTriton buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150            mM NaCl, 0.025% TRITON®-X100)        -   1×5 sec 150 mM NaCl (for buffer removal before elution with            KOH)    -   Washing procedure C: used for washing of target material during        selection round 2-7:        -   2×5 sec. each with HNTween buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150            mM NaCl, 0.5% Tween-20)        -   1×5 min. with 10% shampoo in HNTriton buffer        -   1×5 sec with HNTween buffer including tube change        -   1×5 min with 10% shampoo in HNTriton buffer        -   3×5 sec with HNTween buffer; 1 tube change during the third            wash        -   1×5 sec 150 mM NaCl (for buffer removal before elution with            KOH)    -   Washing procedure E: used for washing target material in round        8b:        -   2×5 sec each with HNTween buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150            mM NaCl, 0.5% TWEEN®-20)        -   4×30 min. with 10% shampoo in HNTriton buffer        -   1×5 sec with HNTween buffer including tube change        -   3×5 sec with HNTween buffer; 1 tube change during the third            wash        -   1×5 sec 150 mM NaCl (for buffer removal before elution with            KOH)    -   Washing procedure G: used for washing of target material in        rounds 9b and 10b:        -   2×5 sec each with HNTween buffer (20 mM HEPES, pH 7.4, 150            mM NaCl, 0.5% TWEEN®-20)        -   1×5 min. with 10% shampoo in HNTriton buffer        -   1×5 sec with HNTween buffer including tube change        -   4×30 min with 10% shampoo in HNTriton buffer        -   1× overnight with 10% shampoo in HNTriton buffer        -   3×5 sec with HNTween buffer; 1 tube change during the third            wash        -   1×5 sec 150 mM NaCl (for buffer removal before elution with            KOH)            The shampoo used in the above washing procedures was a            commercially available hair shampoo having the following            composition:

Water 51% Ammonium lauryl sulfate 20% Sodium lauryl ether sulfate 15%Cocamidopropyl betaine  7% Cocamide MEA 2.5%  Miscellaneous minorcomponents** ~4.5%  **(e.g. various pH adjusters, preservatives,vitamins, chelating agents, dispersants, lubricants, fragrances, anddyes)Comment on Incubation and Washing Conditions:

Normally during mRNA display selections a low detergent concentration ischosen to have low stringent conditions during up to 6 rounds ofselection by keeping the detergent concentration at 0.025% TRITON®-X100.However, a higher stringency for the target material was applied fromthe beginning during incubation and washing (see washing procedures).The applied high concentrations of TWEEN®-20 and shampoo are close tothe so called “critical micelle concentration” (CMC) allowing theformation of small micelles which might contain more than onepeptide-RNA-cDNA-fusion. Since CMC driven aggregation ofpeptide-RNA-cDNA-fusions are critical for successful selections, higherconcentrations of the detergents described above were not used.

cDNA Elution:

cDNAs of binding variants were eluted by incubation of target materialin 50 μL of 100 mM KOH at 60° C. for 30 minutes. After centrifugation,supernatant was removed from target material and transferred into afresh tube. KOH eluates were subsequently neutralized by addition of 1μL of 1 M Tris/HCl, pH 7.0 and 3.8 μL of 1 M HCl (per 50 μL 100 mM KOH).

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR):

After elution in KOH and neutralization, the recovered cDNAs wereamplified by quantitative PCR with increasing numbers of amplificationcycles (12, 15, 18, 21, 24 and 27 cycles). Products were subsequentlyanalyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis over 2% agarose gels. Optimizedconditions (minimal cycle number to get good enrichment of DNA ofcorrect length) were then applied for a preparative PCR reaction andcontrolled again by agarose gel electrophoresis.

Analytical and preparative PCR reactions were performed in presence of10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.8 at 25° C.), 50 mM KCl, 0.08% Nonidet P40, 2 mMMgCl₂, 2.5 mM dNTPs, 1 μM of each forward and reverse primer(5′-TAATACGACTCATAGGGACAATTACTATTTACAATTACAATG-3′; SEQ ID NO: 39) and(5′-AATTAAATAGCGGATGCTACACCAAGACTAGAACCGCTG-3′; SEQ ID NO: 40), ⅕ volumeof neutralized cDNA eluate and 0.05 U/μL Taq polymerase (Promega Corp.).Temperature program of PCR reaction is given below: Initialdenaturation: 90 sec at 94° C.; cycling: 15 sec at 94° C.(denaturation), 20 sec at 60° C. (annealing), 30 sec at 72° C.(extension); post treatment: 3 min at 72° C. (post-treatment); hold at4° C.

Enrichment of cDNA-RNA-Peptide Fusion Molecules Binding to PMMA

Ten rounds of selection were conducted and the relative binding ofradioactively labeled cDNA-RNA-peptide fusion molecules to the PMMApolymer target material was measured. The amount of PMMA polymer(acrylic glass; PLEXIGLAS® VS100 [Altuglas International Arkema Inc.,Philadelphia, Pa.], used was once cylinder shaped PMMA pellet perselection divided into 4 quarters corresponding to approximately 27.4mg.

Round 1 selection used washing procedure A as described above. Rounds2-10 used various washing procedures with increased washing stringencies(see Table1). The relative amount of enrichment (reported as percentenrichment of binding molecules relative to their respective inputsignals [activity of cDNA-RNA-peptide fusions before contacting with thetarget material]) is provided in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Relative binding of radioactive-labeled peptide-RNA-cDNA-fusions on PMMA polymer during increasing rounds of mRNAdisplay selection: % Enrichment of cDNA- RNA-peptide fusion SelectionWashing molecules having affinity Round Procedure for PMMA polymer R1 A0.00 R2 C 0.23 R3 C 0.04 R4 C 0.09 R5 C 0.57 R6 C 1.94 R7 C 2.80^(a) R8bE 2.80 R9b G 1.47^(a) R10b G 0.08^(a) ^(a)= processed for sequencingSequencing of 27-mer PMMA-Binding Peptides

The cDNA molecules from the enriched pool of PMMA-binding fusionmolecules were isolated and PCR amplified as described above. Thesequences of the DNA molecules encoding the PMMA-binding peptidesisolated after rounds 7, 9b and 10b of selection were determined (˜30samples each). The corresponding amino acid sequences of thePMMA-binding peptides are provided in Tables 2 (a-h). Several sampleswere identified encoding an identical or nearly identical amino acidsequence. Amino acid resides that vary between individual members with aspecified group are in bold (Groups “A” through “G”).

TABLE 2a Amino Acid Sequences of Selected PMMA-bindingPeptides Sharing Group “A” Structure Peptide  SEQ Sample  Number ID Numbers Observed Amino acid sequence NO: Round 7 17 FLHGLIHGWYSLWMWMLSWP 1 samples: 15, YMVWWVF 19, 28, 21,  23, 27, 2, 6,1, 9; Round  9b samples:  22, 10, 14,  21, 17, 9;  Round 10b sample 6Round 7 1 FLHGLIHGWYSLWMWILSWP 2 sample 26 YMVWWVF Round 9b 1FMHGLIHGWYSLWMWMLSWP 3 sample 4 YMVWWVF Round 7 1 FLHGLIHGWYSLWMWMLSWP 4sample 20 YMVWWVL Group “A” — FXHGLIHGWYSLWMWXLSWP 5 Sequence YMVWWVX

TABLE 2b PMMA-binding Peptides Group “B” Structure Peptide Sample Number SEQ Numbers Observed Amino acid sequence ID NO: Round 7 8GWQRIWQSILCWMYFPLCL 6 samples 16, WMEWYRAI 17, 22, 8,  12, 7, and 3; Round 10b sample 5 Round 7 1 GWQRIWQSILCWMYLPLCL 7 sample 24 WMEWYRAIRound 7 1 GWQRIWQSIFCWMYFPLCL 8 sample 25 WMEWYRAI Group “B” —GWQRIWQSIXCWMYXPLCL 9 Sequence WMEWYRAI

TABLE 2c PMMA-binding Peptides Group “C” Structure Peptide SEQ Sample Number ID  Numbers Observed Amino acid sequence NO: Round 7 5GSETYLYWSWWWLYLWYWP 10 samples 4,  FWYMWAGM 5; Round 9b samples 7, 15, 16 Round 10b 1 GSETYLYWSWWWLYLWYWP 11 Sample 3 FWYVWAGM Round 7 1GSETYLYWSWCWLYLWYWP 12 Sample 13 FRYMWAGM Round 7 1 GSETYLYWSWWWLYSWYWP13 sample 10 FWYMWAGM Group “C” — GSETYLYWSWXWLYXWYWP 14 SequenceFXYXWAGM

TABLE 2d PMMA-binding Peptides Sharing Group “D” Structure PeptideNumber SEQ Sample Numbers Observed Amino acid sequence ID NO: Round 7 5MWHGLWLWMALYWWMTWSW 15 Sample 30; FLWPFRVI Round 9b Samples 11, 12, 8, 9 Round 9b 2 MWHGLWLWMALYWWMTWSW 16 Sample 6; FLWPFWVI Round 10bSample 1 Round 10b 1 MWYGLWLWMALYWWMTWSW 17 Sample 10 FLWPFRVI Group “D”— MWXGLWLWMALYWWMTWSW 18 Sequence FLWPFXVI

TABLE 2e PMMA-binding Peptides Sharing Group “E” Structure PeptideNumber SEQ Sample Numbers Observed Amino acid sequence ID NO: Round 9b 1IGWWLLRYWLYLQWKLYVWW 19 Sample 19 FSVLWTF Round 9b 1IGWWLLRYWLYLQWKLYAWW 20 Sample 8 FSVLWTF Group “E” —IGWWLLRYWLYLQWKLYXWW 21 Sequence FSVLWTF

TABLE 2f PMMA-binding Peptides Sharing Group “F” Structure PeptideNumber SEQ Sample Numbers Observed Amino acid sequence ID NO: Round 9 2RLDSWIFQTWLMWIWMVWPW 22 Samples 3, 20 LWPFWWL Round 10b 1LDSWIFQTWLMWIWMVWPWL 23 Sample 4 WPFWWL Group “F” — XLDSWIFQTWLMWIWMVWPW24 Sequence LWPFWWL

TABLE 2g PMMA-binding Peptides Sharing Group “G” Structure PeptideNumber SEQ Sample Numbers Observed Amino acid sequence ID NO: S15R9b_2 1VWWTFFGWFYWLWAMWWNVS 25 LALWEWV S15R10b_7 1 VWWAFFGWFYWLWAMWWNVS 26LALWEWV Group “G” — VWWXFFGWFYWLWAMWWNVS 27 Sequence LALWEWV

TABLE 2h Additional PMMA-binding Peptides Peptide SEQ Sample  Number ID Numbers Observed Amino acid sequence NO: Round 7 1 VVPLMWVYWWVFMWGWPMV28 Sample 11 FWYTWWAA Round 7 1 FSSRDFLGYWISWLMWPYF 29 Sample 14VLWRWLMH Round 7 1 RSGLKRKVLRHVWTVMWTM 30 Sample 29 GSWLHGSL Round 9b 1FWYGLWLFWWWHTWFVWRT 31 Sample 18 LWYWMVWL Round 9b 1 TLWTFYWLSWAWYMPLWPW32 Sample 13 WLYWLMWG Round 9b 1 LLWLFWWPWLWWLCVTQWS 33 Sample 15YEMGMGWW Round 9b 1 HFWAWYIEWLRWYLYVPLV 34 Sample 1 VFRWFVGF Round 10b 1YVLFFMAVWWPWWLLMWIW 35 Sample 2 QNLMTMTT

Example 2 Confirmation of PMMA-Binding Affinity

The purpose of this Example was to confirm the affinity of at least onePMMA-binding peptide identified by mRNA-display for a PMMA resinsurface, measured as MB₅₀ values, using an ELISA assay to confirm thatselection process produced PMMA-binding peptides with strong affinityfor PMMA polymer resin.

The peptide was synthesized using a standard solid phage synthesismethod and was biotinylated by adding a biotinylated lysine residue atthe C-terminus of the amino acid binding sequence for detectionpurposes. The peptide tested was SEQ ID NO: 6 (referred to herein as“CPXB”). A C-terminal biotinylated lysine was added to the SEQ ID NO: 6;provided separately herein as SEQ ID NO: 257.

The MB₅₀ measurement of the biotinylated peptide binding to PMMA wasdone using PMMA polymer resin from Bangs Laboratories, Inc. Thepolymethyl methacrylate (dry) particles were 140 μm in diameter. Eachteat-tube contains 1 mg of the particles and three tubes for peptideconcentration (from 1 to 1,000 μM). The PMMA resin sample was incubatedin SUPERBLOCK® blocking buffer (Pierce Chemical) for 1 hour at roomtemperature (˜22° C.), followed by 3 washes with TBST (TBS in 0.05%TWEEN® 20). Peptide binding buffer consisting of various concentrationsof biotinylated peptide in TBST and 1 mg/mL BSA was added to the PMMApolymer samples and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature, followedby 6 TBST washes. Then, the streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (HRP)conjugate (Pierce Chemical Co., Rockford, Ill.) was added to each well(1.0 μg per well), and incubated for 1 h at room temperature, followedby 6 times of washes with TBST. All samples were transferred to newtubes and the chromogenic agent ABTS(2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) was added. Thecolor development and the absorbance measurements were performedfollowing the manufacturer's protocol. The plates were read at A₄₀₅ nm.The results were plotted as A₄₀₅ versus the concentration of peptideusing GraphPad Prism 4.0 (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, Calif.).The MB₅₀ value was calculated from Scatchard plots and is shown Table 3.

The very low MB₅₀ value measured for CPXB verifies that PMMA-bindingpeptide sequences identified by mRNA-display should have strong affinityfor PMMA resin.

TABLE 3 MB₅₀ Value for PMMA-binding peptide CPXB Peptide ID NO.Peptide Sequence MB₅₀ (M) CXPB PLWRRITKRKLVRPVATLMWYWFTSKRK- 2.5 × 10⁻⁸(biotin)-NH₂ (SEQ ID NO: 257)

1. An isolated peptide having affinity for polymethyl methacrylatepolymer (PMMA-binding peptide), said peptide having the generalstructure: GWQRIWQSIX₁CWMYX₂PLCLWMEWYRAI; (SEQ ID NO: 9)

wherein i) X₁ is L or F; and ii) X₂ is L or F.
 2. A peptide-basedreagent having a general structure selected from the group consistingof:([PBP]_(n)-[L] _(x)-BA-[L] _(y))_(m); and([PBP]_(n)-[L] _(x)-TBD-[L] _(y))_(m) wherein: i) PBP is the peptide ofclaim 1 having affinity for polymethyl methacrylate polymer; ii) L is alinker molecule; iii) BA is at least one benefit agent; iv) TBD is atarget binding domain; v) x and y are independently 0 or 1; vi) n=1 to10; and vii) m=1 to
 10. 3. The peptide-based reagent according to claim2 wherein the linker molecule is a peptide linker ranging from 1 to 50amino acids in length.
 4. The peptide-based reagent according to claim 2wherein the benefit agent is selected from the group consisting ofpharmaceuticals, markers, colorants, conditioners, fragrances, andantimicrobial agents.
 5. The peptide-based reagent according to claim 2wherein the target binding domain is a body surface binding domaincomprising at least one peptide having affinity for a body surfaceselected from the group consisting of hair, skin, nails and teeth.
 6. Amethod for binding a peptide-based reagent to polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) comprising: a) providing the peptide-based reagent according toclaim 2: and b) contacting the peptide-based reagent of (a) with asurface comprising PMMA whereby the peptide reagent binds to the PMMA.7. A personal care composition comprising the peptide of claim 1 or thepeptide-based reagent of claim 2.